Minimalism is a Must

By Jasmine Kelly

Summer 2019 was defining one for me. I shed a lot of skin. I do not know what prompted me to start shifting things around in my life, but alteration was necessary. Things that used to work for me no longer sufficed, and what I used to have the patience for just didn’t sit well with me anymore. It was not long before what was happening with me mentally and emotionally began to manifest physically. I literally woke up one day and started getting rid of clothes and other things that I was no longer wearing and using. The crazy thing is I instantly began to feel lighter, less stressed, and free. It was therapeutic to rid my life of things that no longer served me.

If simplicity says it best for you, then minimalism is the way to live. I did not have a name to put to the changes that I was making in my life until it kept showing up via social media, news articles and even YouTube. I was becoming a minimalist.  At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality.  And as a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life. Without even knowing it, I was making more room for the things that I love and ridding myself of distractions.

Minimalism may seem scary at first, but I urge you to certainly give it try. Here is a checklist to begin your minimalist lifestyle. Good luck!

Steps to Becoming a Minimalist

Understand that minimalism is about you and not the belongings. What you have is an extension of yourself. Thus, if getting rid of it does not feel right, don’t do it.

Take inventory of what you have. Take note of the items and/or behaviors you love and can do without. That’s right, there is no in-between; you either love it or it is taking up space physically, mentally or emotionally.

Designate clutter-free zones. Designate aspects of your life that cannot be disorderly. Once you do so, develop rules to maintain the order that you have established.

Live. The work that you have done to restructure your life and surroundings is fruitless if you do not take advantage of the moment. Remember to replace what you have ridden yourself of with more life, love, spontaneity and new experiences. You have earned it!

Jasmine Kelly is a contributing writer for the Pedestal Project, LLC. Jasmine is a higher education professional who believes in the powers of Black Twitter. You can follow her on Instagram @chicomydusty.

Featured image: Dualstock